Windhoek Solar Talks Expose System Gaps as City Pushes Renewable Shift

Windhoek Solar Talks Expose System Gaps as City Pushes Renewable Shift. Energy stakeholders convened in Windhoek this week for the Solar Experts Conference 2026, where discussions highlighted both the opportunities and ongoing constraints within the city’s solar energy sector.

The conference, organised by the City of Windhoek, brought together participants from academia, regulatory bodies, and companies involved in solar services and equipment. It followed the recent inauguration of the Solar Centre Windhoek, placing the event within a broader effort to strengthen the city’s renewable energy framework.

Participants identified several structural barriers affecting the growth of solar adoption. These included bureaucratic processes, limited access to reliable information, funding challenges, and the absence of comprehensive data systems and installer databases. The discussions reflected a shared view that these gaps continue to influence how quickly solar solutions can be deployed and scaled.

Opening the conference, Sakarias Uunona pointed to Namibia’s high solar irradiation levels, noting the country’s position among the top globally in terms of solar potential. He indicated that this creates an opportunity for solar energy to play a wider role beyond environmental considerations, extending into economic development and community-level impact.

The City has outlined plans to promote alternative energy solutions as part of efforts to reduce reliance on bulk electricity supply from NamPower. The approach is aimed at improving energy resilience while supporting a more sustainable supply mix.

The conference also drew international participation, including Michael Biel and his delegation from Berlin’s Senate Department of Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises.